Smile Back - Poem by Francis Kokutse

We sat at the cafe with she
all glorious and beautiful
looking like the most High has
dressed her up for a contest.

I was not of my best but
that did not mean anything to her
and with her usual smile, look
in my direction expecting a smile
back but l did not give back what she wanted
because l was deep in my thought wondering
if l really deserved whoever was by my side.

Then she smiled back another time
looked at me and said in her sweet
voice, why don't you just smile to me.